Play YouTube Videos in Background Without Paying for Premium Subscription

YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for watching videos and listening to music. However, one major drawback is that videos stop playing when you switch apps or lock your phone. YouTube offers background playback as part of its Premium subscription, but not everyone wants to pay for it.

If you’re looking for ways to play YouTube videos in background without paying for a Premium subscription, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore free methods that work on both Android and iPhone without using third-party apps.

Why Play YouTube Videos in Background?

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Before we dive into the methods, let’s explore why background playback is essential for many users:

Listen to Music & Podcasts – Many people use YouTube as a free alternative to music streaming apps.
Multitask Easily – Allows you to use other apps while listening to a video.
Save Battery & Data – With background play, you don’t need to keep the screen on, reducing battery drain.
Avoid Interruptions – You won’t have to restart videos every time you switch apps.

Now, let’s move on to the working methods to play YouTube videos in background without paying for a Premium subscription.

How to Play YouTube Videos in Background on iPhone Without Premium

Apple users can enjoy YouTube background play for free by using Safari or Google Chrome. Follow these simple steps:

Step-by-Step Guide for iPhone Users

1. Open Safari or Chrome

Launch the Safari or Google Chrome browser on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Visit YouTube & Play a Video

Go to YouTube.com and search for your favorite video or playlist.
Start playing the video you want to listen to.

3. Enable Desktop Mode

Tap the “AA” icon on Safari (or three-dot menu on Chrome).
Select “Request Desktop Site” to switch to desktop mode.

4. Minimize the Browser

Once the video starts playing, swipe up or press the Home button to minimize the browser.

5. Use Control Center to Resume Playback

Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older iPhones) to open the Control Center.
Press the Play button to continue playback in the background.

💡 Tip: This method works best if you lock your screen and press Play from the Control Center.

How to Play YouTube Videos in Background on Android Without Premium

Android users can also enjoy YouTube background playback without a subscription. The best way is by using Google Chrome or another browser like Firefox or Brave.

Step-by-Step Guide for Android Users

1. Open Google Chrome

Launch Google Chrome on your Android phone or tablet.

2. Visit YouTube & Play a Video

Go to YouTube.com instead of using the app.
Search for the video or music playlist you want to play.

3. Switch to Desktop Mode

Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Select “Desktop site” to make YouTube load like it does on a PC.

4. Minimize Chrome

Once the video starts playing, exit the browser by pressing the Home button or swiping up.

5. Resume Playback from Notification Panel

Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the notification panel.
Press the Play button in the YouTube notification to continue background playback.

💡 Tip: If the video pauses after minimizing, simply go back to the notification panel and press Play again.

Alternative Methods to Play YouTube in the Background for Free

If the above methods don’t work for you, try these additional tricks:

1. Use Picture-in-Picture Mode (Android Only)

Android users can enable Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode, which allows videos to play in a small floating window.
Go to Settings → Apps → Special Access → Picture-in-Picture and enable it for Chrome.

2. Use Third-Party Browsers

Some browsers, like Brave or Firefox, allow background playback without requiring Desktop Mode.

3. Download YouTube Videos

If you want to listen to music offline, you can download YouTube videos using legal methods like YouTube’s offline mode or music streaming alternatives.

Benefits of Play YouTube Videos in Background Without Premium

Why should you use these methods instead of paying for YouTube Premium?

Saves Money – YouTube Premium costs around $11.99/month, but this trick is 100% free.
No Additional Apps Needed – Works directly from your browser without installing third-party apps.
Works on Any Device – Whether you use iPhone or Android, these solutions apply to both platforms.
Better Multitasking – Listen to YouTube while browsing, texting, or using other apps.

YouTube Premium vs. Free Background Play – What’s the Difference?

Feature	YouTube Free (Using This Trick)	YouTube Premium
Background Play	✅ Yes (With Browser Tricks)	✅ Yes (Officially)
Ads-Free Experience	❌ No	✅ Yes
Download Videos	❌ No	✅ Yes
Music Streaming	❌ No	✅ Yes (YouTube Music)
Monthly Cost	💰 Free	💰 $11.99/Month

While YouTube Premium offers additional features, the methods shared above help play YouTube videos in background for free.

Final Thoughts – Play YouTube videos in background

If you’ve ever wanted to play YouTube videos in background without paying for a Premium subscription, these tricks provide an easy and effective solution.

By using Safari or Chrome on iPhone and Google Chrome or Firefox on Android, you can listen to YouTube videos while multitasking.

Try these methods today and enjoy YouTube background play without interruptions! 🚀

FAQs | Play YouTube videos in background

Will these methods work on all devices?

Yes! These tricks work on most iPhones and Android devices. However, some features may not work on the latest iOS updates due to Apple restrictions.